WaPo: Protesters Sue for Speech Spot during State of the Union

[Marleyb]

Demonstrators have been told to confine their gathering to the gravel walkways on the Mall between Third and Fourth streets, farther from the Capitol. The grassy areas are fenced off because they are being resodded.

Travis Morales, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said the restrictions effectively deny the protesters a meaningful public space to gather as a group. The nearest place to meet together, he said, is Seventh Street, about a mile from the Capitol.

"We are being told that turf renovation and security trump our First Amendment right to protest," he said.

He called the change "politically motivated," adding that the Bush administration "is trying to push us so far away that we can't be seen or heard. . . . A protest not seen and a protest not heard is not a protest."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/25/AR2006012502261.html

[Webster Green]

1. Same excuse they had at the Repuke national convention...

Not allowed to gather in Central Park because of the grass.

[Shortyfuse]

2. NBC

I almost started to defend the Media after the morality hearings( I consider that extortion) and they where having their sponsors threatened by the food Police. However after the crap that I heard on NBC I heard last night I changed my mind. Nothing should make them say that most Americans really do not care about wire tapping.That they care more about security than wire tapping. Screw them I hate Corporate media.
And they always quoted the lawyers asses for support of Alito and never the other groups.

[LizW]

3. I'm sorry, but has anyone seen the grass on the Mall in January?

They're putting in new sod in January?

Unbelievable.

[YOY]

5. Actually last time I looked the grass there looks fine...

I don't beleive it for a second.

[Nikki Stone 1]

6. January is not a time to plant sod, is it?

...

[madame defarge]

4. See here too about this...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2393114&mesg_id=2393114
and here
http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2006/01/permit_battle_c.html#comments

[Marleyb]

7. we shouldn't even need a freakin permit

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. -- First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

8. Constitution You Say?

What Constitution?

[Marleyb]

9. you know...this one...

[Marleyb]

10. Anyone live in DC that can take a picture of the grass for us?

There is no way in hell they are putting new sod on it next week. And if they are, the gardener should be fired. They are wasting tax dollars.